What do waves transfer
Energy in the direction they are travelling
What happens when waves travel through a medium
The particles of the medium oscillate and transfer energy between each other.
But the particles stay in the same place, only energy is transferred
What do waves have
Amplitude, wavelength and frequency
What is amplitude
Maximum displacement of a point on the wave from its undisturbed position
What is wavelength
Distance between the same point on two adjacent waves e.g. between the trough of one wave and the trough of the wave next to it.
What is frequency
The number of complete waves passing a certain point per second
What is frequency measured in
Hertz (Hz)
1 Hz is 1 wave per second
What is the period of a wave
Amount of time it takes for a full cycle of the wave to pass a point
How do you calculate a period
Using the frequency of the wave and this formula:
Period = 1 ÷ Frequency
(s) (Hz)
What are the two types of waves
Transverse and longitudinal
What is a transverse wave
The oscillations (vibrations) are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer
Most waves are transverse including:
All electromagnetic waves e.g. light
Ripples and waves in water
A wave on a string
What is a longitudinal wave
The oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer
Examples of longitudinal waves include:
Sound waves in air, ultrasound
Shock waves e.g. some seismic waves
What is wavespeed
The speed at which energy is being transferred (or speed at which the wave is moving at)
Wave speed =
(m/s)
Frequency × Wavelength
(Hz) (m)
Use an oscillope to measure…
Speed of sound
All waves can be…
Absorbed, transmitted or reflected
When a wave arrives at a boundary between two different materials three things can happen: Absorbed
Wave is absorbed by second material transferring energy to the material’s energy stores.
Often transferred to thermal energy which leads to heating
When a wave arrives at a boundary between two different materials three things can happen: Transmitted
Wave is transmitted through the second material - waves carry on travelling through the new material.
Often leads to refraction.
Used in communications and lenses of glasses and cameras
When a wave arrives at a boundary between two different materials three things can happen: Reflected
Wave is reflected - incoming wave is neither absorbed nor transmitted, but instead ‘sent back’ away from the second material
What is refraction
Waves changing direction at a boundary
Refraction
What happens when a wave crosses a boundary between two materials
It changes speed
Refraction
What happens if the wave is travelling along the normal
Change speed but it’s not refracted